RIP Memo.

I got the call this morning. Turns out Memo was hit by a car on Friday. He was taken to a local vet clinic, but he didn't make it. It's amazing the effect pets have on your life. I'm 32 years old, 6'4 and well over 200 lbs, but I was bawling like a little baby. We always knew it was possible, but had been holding out hope that a well meaning person had taken him in.

He was a good cat, and was a character from day one. He was named Memorial because we actually got him on Memorial day. My wife and I had gone to the grocery, and it was hot. I bet the temperature was around 98-99 and very humid. As we left the store, we passed a woman who had a big rubbermaid container. She asked us if we wanted a kitten. Turns out, she had 6 kittens in this big container, and she kept the top on it to keep them from jumping out.

Since it was so hot, she kept pouring water over the kittens, essentially basting them. We played with them for a few seconds, and walked over to the truck. Once we got everything loaded, M gave me the look I knew was coming. So, we drove over and parked near the woman, and M went to pick out the one she wanted. Two seconds later she is back in the truck with what could only be described as a wet grey fuzzball. We were concerned about the kitten, so I kicked the AC on high, and held him in front of the vent. He immediately stretched all four legs out, to maximize his cooling.

Once he cooled down, he curled up into a little ball and rode snuggled up to her neck until we got him.

That same night, he proved his bravery by attacking my dogs. I have big dogs. Well, one big and one regular sized. My Ridgeback weighs around 110 lbs, and my dalmation is around 60. Both of them sleep at the end of our bed. Turns out Memo had decided this was his space, and was going to defend it. He puffed himself up as big as he could get and took a run at Jack the ridgeback. This cat didn't even weigh half a pound, and he want right after an animal that was easily 200x his weight. When Jack didn't react to his charge, Memo leapt up, and scratched him on both sides of his face, then bolted underneath the bed. Jack was shocked. I was shocked, and Memo was victorious. To add insult to injury, he would periodically attack from under the bed, mostly when the dogs were just falling asleep.

Once he had put the fear of cat into the dogs, he crawled up onto M's neck, and started nursing at the collar of her nightgown. The dogs refused to get back in their beds, and this little ball of fluff, and piss, & vinegar solidified his hold on our house and hearts forever.

I have other stories, but don't want to use them all up. Memorial Faye (everyone needs a middle name when you are yelling at them) you will be missed.